Kimberly: The People I Used to Know

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Kimberly: The People I Used to Know
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 8, 2017
Recorded2016–2017
GenreR&B[1]
Length62:59
LabelAtlantic
K. Michelle chronology
More Issues Than Vogue
(2016)
Kimberly: The People I Used to Know
(2017)
All Monsters Are Human
(2020)
Singles from Kimberly: The People I Used to Know
  1. "Birthday"
    Released: September 8, 2017
  2. "Either Way"
    Released: September 15, 2017
  3. "Make This Song Cry"
    Released: October 6, 2017
  4. "Crazy Like You"
    Released: February 13, 2018

Kimberly: The People I Used to Know is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter K. Michelle, released on December 8, 2017, through Atlantic Records.[2] The album was preceded by the release of the singles "Birthday", "Either Way", "Make This Song Cry" and "Crazy Like You". Kimberly: The People I Used to Know debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number fifty-six with 8,804 copies sold, becoming the lowest selling debuting album of Michelle's career so far and continuing a downward trend in her commercial success.

Background and release

"It's a record that is very, very vibey. The direction of the album is actually, I actually am talking about a lot of people -- not bashing them, but speaking on some people who have been influential in my life, whether it was for the good or the bad."

— K. Michelle talking about her fourth studio album.[3]

On December 21, 2016, K. Michelle announced that her fourth album would be released in 2017 via Twitter with an acronym "TCE".[4] During the final season of her reality show "K. Michelle: My Life, the singer revealed a song titled "Heaven",[5] calling the song "one of my most personal records on my new album".[6][7] On September 8, 2017, in an interview with Billboard, the album's title was revealed "Kimberly: The People I Used to Know".[3] On October 13, 2017, the album cover, track list and release date was revealed.[8]

Singles

"Birthday" was released as the album's lead single on September 8, 2017.[9] "Either Way" featuring American singer Chris Brown was released as the album's second single on September 15, 2017.[10] The song debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales chart for the week beginning October 7, 2017.[11] "Make This Song Cry" was released as the album's third single on October 6, 2017.[12] "Crazy Like You" was released as the album's fourth single on August 12, 2018.[13]

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
Newsday[15]
Pitchfork7.0/10[1]
Renowned for Sound[16]

On AllMusic, Andy Kellman gave the album four stars out of five, stating that "she has too much on her mind - and has such an imaginative and proficient way of getting it all out - to truly bail."[14] Glenn Gamboa from Newsday wrote that "It’s a shoot-from-the-hip style given to hits and misses, but when K. Michelle connects, she hits hard."[15]

Pitchfork's Alfred Soto graded it 7 points out of 10, commenting that "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know may lack a thumper like "V.S.O.P." or a slow jam as urgent as "Drake Would Love Me," still her greatest performance, but it continues a remarkable four-album streak."[1] Rachael Scarsbrook of Renowned for Sound gave the album 4 stars out of 5, wrote that "There is enough differentiation to maintain intrigue even if the album is some 20+ tracks long. K Michelle is never one to mince her words, and she’s certainly not going to be changing that any time soon.[16]

Track listing

Kimberly: The People I Used to Know track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Welcome to the People I Used to Know"
Priscilla Renea
Eric Hudson3:27
20."Woman of My Word"
  • Jerkins
  • Nathan
  • King Midas
2:53
21."Outro" (performed by Princess Nokia)Pate 1:07
Total length:62:59

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a vocal producer
  • ^[b] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[c] signifies an additional producer

Sample credits

Charts

Chart performance for Kimberly: The People I Used to Know
Chart (2017) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[17] 56
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[18] 23

Release history

Release history for Kimberly: The People I Used to Know
Region Date Format Label Ref
United States December 8, 2017 Digital download, CD Atlantic [2]
Canada [19]
United Kingdom December 10, 2017 [20]
Spain [21]
France [22]
Germany [23]

References

  1. ^ a b c Soto, Alfred (December 8, 2017), "K. Michelle:KIMBERLY:The People I Used to Know Album Review", Pitchfork, retrieved August 15, 2018
  2. ^ a b "iTunes – Music – KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know by K. Michelle". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "K. Michelle On New Album 'Kimberly: The People I Used to Know,' R. Kelly Allegations and Surrogacy With Fiance". Billboard. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  4. ^ ""Album #4 in 2017! #TCE" - K. Michelle on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  5. ^ "K. Michelle: My Life - Season 3, Ep. 7 - Love Is On The Air - Full Episode". VH1. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  6. ^ ""Heaven" is one of my most personal records on my new album. I can't wait to share it in full with all of you! - K. Michelle on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  7. ^ ""Heaven" is exactly where I am right now. So glad I could share a snippet with you all last night on #KMichelle: My Life! ❤️ Album #4 is coming VERY soon". Facebook. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  8. ^ "K. Michelle Reveals Album Cover, Track listing and Release Date for 'Kimberly: The People I Used To Know'". The Grape Juice. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Birthday - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Either Way (feat. Chris Brown) - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Billboard Chart Search for K. Michelle Either Way". Billboard. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Make This Song Cry - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. Store). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Crazy Like You - Single by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (U.S. store). Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  14. ^ a b Kellman, Andy, "AllMusic Review: Kimberly: People I Used to Know - K. Michelle", AllMusic, retrieved August 15, 2018
  15. ^ a b Gamboa, Glenn (December 6, 2017), "'Kimberly: The People I Used to Know' review: K. Michelle speaks her mind", Newsday, retrieved August 15, 2018
  16. ^ a b Scarsbrook, Rachael (December 24, 2017), "Album Review: K Michelle – Kimberly: The People I Used to Know", Renowned for Sound, retrieved August 15, 2018
  17. ^ "K Michelle Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  18. ^ "K Michelle Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  19. ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (Canada Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  20. ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know by K. Michelle on Apple Music". Apple Music (UK Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  21. ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (Spain Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  22. ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (France Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  23. ^ "KIMBERLY: The People I Used to Know on Apple Music". Apple Music (German Store). Retrieved 17 October 2017.